In an attempt to remove the colonial era laws, the Government proposed that punishments for crimes against women and children will get harsher.
Amit Shah, the union home minister, introduced three new measures into the Lok Sabha on Friday in a historic move to overhaul India’s criminal justice system and abolish practices from the colonial era.
The proposals have been brought up to bring the spirit of protecting rights to the center stage.
The new laws are believed to bring an overhaul of the criminal justice system wherein the job was to protect the British administration. Hence with the new laws, everyone will get justice within of three years.
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The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2024, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2024, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2024 are new proposed laws that will be sent to a parliamentary panel for further investigation.
HARSHER PUNISHMENTS FOR CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN
The first chapter for such changes will deal with the atrocities committed against women and children and criminalize sexual intercourse on the basis of false promises of marriage, employment, and promotion.
According to the proposed laws, a victim’s statement will be required in cases of sexual assault, and a video recording of the statement will be required in cases of sexual harassment. The police must inform the complainant of the complaint’s status within 90 days and then every 15 days after that. No government will be able to dismiss a case of incarceration for seven years or longer without first consulting the victim; this will safeguard the rights of the citizens.
CHANGES IN RAPE LAW
The definition of “life imprisonment” has been structured as “imprisonment for natural life.” An offender shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term of not less than ten years but may extend to imprisonment for life which further implies imprisonment for the remaining life. Moreover, they will also be liable to additional fines.
The new law also contains provisions for penalties for revealing the identities of rape survivors.
In cases of gang rape, a provision for 20 years of punishment or life imprisonment has been made. Moreover, if it involves a girl under 18 then a provision for the death penalty has been kept.
DECEIVING WOMEN INTO A SEX-A PUNISHABLE OFFENSE
The new bills state that engaging in sexual conduct while using “deceitful” means or promising marriage without intending to follow it, not leading to rape, will be punishable The new criminal statutes call for a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Given that “suppressing identity” falls under the concept of “deceitful means,” a man lying about his religious affiliation in order to engage in sexual activity with a woman would likewise be subjected to the law.
ZERO FIR
In order to assure the convenience of the citizens, the concept of Zero FIR is being introduced. Citizens will be allowed to file complaints even outside the boundaries of their local police station, regardless of where the crime may have occurred. It must be sent to the relevant police station within 15 days of the offense being reported. The government is also offering the option of E-FIR for the first time.
Furthermore, there wasn’t any provision for mobile or chain snatching from women which has been added now. Additionally, the new proposed Bills would increase the sentence for crimes against children from 7 to 10 years.
